Reflections Before The Trail

3 Days Out

This past week has been a whirlwind between leaving my job, moving back to my parent’s place for a few days, and saying my goodbyes to friends and family. With a few days in between work and starting the AT, I’m just now starting to process what life may look like in the coming months. 

“So, are you getting nervous?”

Most of the people I’ve talked to about my upcoming hike have asked me if I’m nervous at all- “Not really” I’ve replied. The excitement I’ve felt for the last few months is still there, but has begun to fade as I’m making my final preparations before heading down to Georgia. More than anything, I feel prepared. I’ve been planning this thru-hike for years now and I know there is nothing left for me to do but get on trail. The biggest difference I’ve noticed in the past couple of days is in my identity- referring to myself as someone who is going to thru-hike to someone is thru-hiking. Yes, I know I haven’t even stepped foot in Georgia yet, but The Trail is changing from dream to reality now. Rather than nerves, I’ve been thinking more about how my normal day to day is going to change completely: driving, showering, sleeping in a warm bed, fresh food and lazy mornings will all be a separate reality in less than a week’s time. 

What I’m Hiking Home To

I have no second thoughts about attempting the Appalachian Trail, though there are things I’m going to miss and am sad to walk away from. I’ll miss my family, I’ll miss all my closest friends from high school and college, and I’ll miss all the incredible friends I’ve made this winter at Sugarloaf. I’ll miss playing guitar, mountain biking, spring skiing and running. Having the opportunity to do something so wild and meet so many new people on the Appalachian Trail makes me feel weird complaining about missing some of these things. I’ve already spoken about my “why” for hiking the AT, but also believe understanding what I’m leaving behind will only give me extra motivation as I hike back home to Maine.